AVS 51st International Symposium
    Vacuum Technology Wednesday Sessions
       Session VT-WeA

Paper VT-WeA6
Considerations for Selection of Ion Collector Diameter in Hot Cathode Ionization Gauges

Wednesday, November 17, 2004, 3:40 pm, Room 303D

Session: Vacuum Measurement, Sensors and Control
Presenter: P. Arnold, Helix Technology Corporation
Correspondent: Click to Email

Characteristics of large diameter vs small diameter ion collectors in Bayard-Alpert type hot cathode ionization gauges are evaluated. Experimental data are shown for high pressure linearity, high pressure stability, and multi-second pumpdowns from the millitorr range to the high vacuum range. These pumpdowns were conducted with both argon and nitrogen as functions of time, pressure, and electron emission current in the millitorr range. Computer simulations and mathematical calculations are related to the test data to arrive at an explanation of the observed results. This evaluation is extended to miniature hot cathode gauges.